Lydia Evolves from Silly to Sensible

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Source: Gift from Author

TYPE OF NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Sequel, Secondary Character

THE PREMISE: They don’t live in a beautiful town home, they don’t have many servants, Lydia is not the darling of Newcastle society with lots of young men vying for her attention, and Wickham is not a besotted husband that constantly dotes on her. Lydia prevaricates in any letters she sends home to her relations because the reality of her life is so much worse and so much more shameful then she could have ever imagined. And for years Lydia strives to survive the wretched choices she’s made until fate delivers quite an unexpected change…

WHAT I LOVED:

• Lydia Learns: Lydia thought she knew it all – she knew how to have fun better than anyone, she knew how to catch a husband better than her sisters… but she discovers that she didn’t have a clue. Not a clue. She discovers in all the ways her understanding was flawed, and quickly adapts. She cannot change her choices, she can not escape her circumstances – she is powerless. So she endures it all. And without her flirting, frivolity, and freedom Lydia grows stronger, wiser, and more capable than we ever thought possible.

• The Harrowing and Heartbreaking: Lydia does not reveal her true life in her family letters, but she does in her journal entries. I loved the way this opened up the truth to the reader – and how the reader could witness the progression of her realizations about George, about her own failings, and about what love really is. Lydia’s life with George is bleak, dark, and depressing. But because of its horribleness and wretchedness, it makes Lydia’s survival of it all the more hard-won and inspiring.

• Finding Interests and Skills: With no friends and no funds, Lydia is often needing to find ways to see to her fundamental needs and be resourceful. And we know that Mrs. Bennet did not prepare her well. I loved seeing Lydia learn such useful skills in the garden and kitchen – I especially enjoyed how she had the patience with herself to learn these skills, how she developed a passion for them, and how she found solace in her pursuit of them.

• Restoring and Repairing: Years go by and Lydia is almost a stranger to her family. She has experienced and evolved so much and none of them know it – that is until Elizabeth begins to suspect something… I loved seeing Lydia’s reunions with her family. I appreciated how it wasn’t easy, how she had her pride and awkwardness, and how any warmness or comfort with her family progressed slowly. I loved seeing her relationships with Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy grow stronger and deeper. And lastly, I loved witnessing how the most complicated and damaged relationship that Lydia shared with one of her family members comes to a breaking point and transforms.

• A Second Attachment?: With her negative experiences with love and the confining and controlling nature of her marriage – I think it makes perfect sense for Lydia to not be eagerly looking for love or marriage again. It is such a reversal of the Lydia we know in P&P, and I found it completely credible and commendable. But as we might expect…love still finds Lydia. And it is a love that begins with gentleness, friendship, and sincerity. I appreciated that Lydia’s suitor also had his own heartbreak, mistrust, and emotional baggage to work through.

WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER:

• Little More: I just wanted a smidge more between Lydia and her suitor. Perhaps some more development on his side? I feel like there was a good amount of focus on his past and people from his past, and I wouldn’t have minded seeing more about his present feelings and thoughts as he was falling in love with Lydia.

NOTE: Trigger warning for domestic abuse and violence (incidents are brief and non-graphic)

FINAL THOUGHTS:

👏🏼  One of this silliest girls in all of England is thoughtfully, profoundly, and beautifully redeemed.

💪🏼  A poignant and powerful story about self-discovery, strength, and second chances.

💗  It isn’t every author that can turn Lydia Bennet into a sympathetic and admirable character that readers eagerly welcome into their hearts. Well done, MJ Stratton!

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